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2008 Saturn AstraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 162 owner complaints about the 2008 Saturn Astra, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 16V-063 the manufacturer reports only 68% of affected cars repaired.

2008 Saturn Astra
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 68%Owner complaints16213 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage59kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 16, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Saturn Astra has problems

162 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags965
Electrical system221
Power train171
Engine81
Steering60
Structure51
Tires40
Visibility/wiper40
Visibility40
10 other systems193

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2008 Saturn Astra recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

68%repaired · 2022 Q1

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 16V-063 · Feb 3, 2016 · 113,716 vehicles · 77,356 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other Astra year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Astra median. How we score

'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2008 Saturn Astra safety ratings

2008 Saturn Astra 2-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Saturn Astra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What Astra owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I have received the recall and the dealership said they ordered the part and told me it was safe to drive till the part came in as they have ordered it. So then i had them put it in writing that it is safe to drive.I am asking why are they letting me drive this vehicle with this dangerous recall.
Complaint 11417614 · May 18, 2021
ON 12/4/19 THE AIRBAG IN THE 08 SATURN ASTRA DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO THE DRIVEWAY BRICK WALK AND FENCING OF A NEIGHBORING HOUSE ADJACENT TO A LOT THAT I WAS PULLING OUT FROM. I SUFFERED MINOR BRUISES AND CUTS BUT HAVE A LOT OF NECK AND CHEST PAIN.. I'VE MADE THE…
Complaint 11287389 · Dec 5, 2019 · 11,500 miles
TAKARA RECALL. I HAVE A 2008 SATURN ASTRA XR THAT I RECIEVED A RECALL LETTER FROM. WHERE DO I CONTACT TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED?
Complaint 11242180 · Aug 7, 2019

Own a 2008 Astra?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.